From the discovery of explorer Ernest Shackleton’s ship in Antarctica, to the theme of the presidential inauguration, “endurance” is a recurring word that hits home for operators when they reflect on what they have dealt with over the years.

The word certainly resonated with Bob Tullio, host of Automatic Merchandiser's Vending & OCS Nation podcast. In this episode, he speaks with numerous industry leaders -- operators and suppliers -- to get their take on endurance. 

Fresh off a trip from Antarctica, Tullio tells his story of endurance -- a riveting 37-year ride in the convenience services business that he and his partners still reflect on with amazement. 

Lots of industry people are featured and mentioned in this podcast, so don't miss it. Among them, Tom Steuber, Craig Hesch, Mark Kronenberg, Pete Tullio, Jon Fishman, Larry Deagon, Orrin Huebner, C.J. Recher, Carla Balakgie, Jennifer Ridnour, Jim Brinton, Ryan Harrington, Kailin McCauley Genton, Bill McCauley, Justin Fishman, Lance Deagon, Paul Tullio and Arthur Siller.

Don't miss the related article in the June/July issue of Automatic Merchandiser magazine.

Here is a review from my editor, Linda Becker. “It's a humdinger.” 

What is Josh Rosenberg up to now? It is question Josh hears, especially when he is not in the industry's spotlight, where he has spent so much time as a high profile player in and around convenience services. Bottom line: He's back. 

In this episode of Automatic Merchandiser's Vending & OCS Nation podcast, host Bob Tullio sits down with Josh Rosenberg to talk about his 30 year industry journey and new family business, Forward Thinkers, a consulting firm and a dream come true for him.

Here is an insight sample from Rosenberg, when Tullio asked him what small operators need to do to land bigger accounts.

"This isn't a pity story for me, but I grew up on the streets. I went in and out of homes and didn't have the best upbringing. What I really was was undereducated. I didn't have the experience and the exposure. I walked into Coke as a merchandiser because they were hiring for six weeks during the Kentucky Derby and I needed to pay for school because somebody encouraged me to go to college or you're not going to ever get off the streets. But I was failing in college. I was making more money as a merchandiser and I was perfectly happy to be there until I saw somebody in a suit, driving a company vehicle that looked like they made a hell of a lot of money and I knew they weren't doing as good a job as I could," he said.

"And when I kept going in begging for that job and they wouldn't give it to me, somebody finally pulled me aside and said, if you want that job, you gotta act like that job. Meaning, dress like it, behave like it, and work towards it. Not much different for a small operator. If you want that account, your brand has to look like it, it has to feel like it, and you have to present like that."

There are plenty of good insights in this podcast from a man who has seen ups and downs in business, but has now combined a young, tech savvy team that includes his sons, with his many years of business experience, to offer something powerful for both operators and suppliers. 

With all the consolidation this industry has seen – podcast host Bob Tullio asks, what is drawing the huge crowds at the NAMA Show? He thinks it's the newcomers - new operators who are highly motivated – intrigued by the promise of giant revenue (often driven by Tik Tok videos), but extremely excited by the technology.

In this episode of Automatic Merchandiser’s Vending & OCS Nation,  Tullio brings you more convention floor interviews with some big names and some up and coming operators, as he discusses the latest trends and innovations in the convenience services industry – some excellent insights from the 2025 NAMA Show. The conversation highlights the influx of newcomers to the industry, the importance of technology and smart markets, and the need for operators to adapt to post-pandemic challenges. Various industry leaders share their experiences and thoughts on the future of the industry, emphasizing the significance of networking and collaboration.

As for the groundswell of new operators, Tullio notes the following:

"There was an easy way to find the many newcomers to the industry – just go visit one of the many smart market vendors, and you could see them asking questions and placing orders. There is no question that the 2025 NAMA Show shined a big spotlight on smart markets, and the technology is a major reason why newcomers are flocking to the convenience services industry. It is easy to get started and to look like an established player, if you have a strong website and some capital. This extreme interest in smart markets by new operators, will only result in strong smart market growth, even more entrants among smart market suppliers and ultimately, lower prices – as the larger, established operators jump on board – as painful as it might be, to shelve existing equipment that is working just perfectly."

As usual, podcast host Bob Tullio worked the 2025 NAMA convention floor with a microphone in hand, talking to a wide variety of operators. While they may have come to Las Vegas with different objectives, they all agreed that the show was a fine display of what the industry has to offer.

Tullio admits that after golfing for three days before the show with David “Hollywood” Henchel, Jim “Dutton” Evans and Rick “The Duke” Dutkiewicz, he was exhausted and had less money in his pocket. You can read all about in his Best of OCS column entitled - Lessons from a pre-NAMA Show 'retreat' with three industry leaders. - published on May 14th.

As for NAMA show - record attendance – huge convention floor – signs that the industry is moving in the right direction.

At each show, there is always a theme – a defining characteristic of what is being offered. We’ve seen K-cup madness - pod-mania – bean to cup brewer fest – but this year – as one operator pointed out – it is all about smart coolers – with ambient temperature, frozen and even hot food add-ons. 2025 is the year of the smart cooler at the NAMA Show – with over 25 varieties on the convention floor.

In this edition of Automatic Merchandiser’s Vending & OCS Nation podcast, Tullio spoke to several operators and some suppliers – asking them about their overall impressions of the show, what blew them away – or at least impressed them and finally - five years after the start of the pandemic, what do operators need to do to succeed?

You may end up listening to this on your way to the 2025 NAMA Show in Las Vegas – on the plane, in a taxi or hanging out in the lobby of your hotel before the show starts up on May 7th. That is the perfect scenario, because today’s episode offers some valuable advice about the 2025 Show – in addition to "wear comfortable shoes."

In this episode of Automatic Merchandiser’s Vending & OCS Nation, the podcast for the convenience services industry, host Bob Tullio is focused on seven suppliers who you need to connect with if you are an operator attending the show.

As Tullio notes, "At every NAMA show, several suppliers sign up to have a professional video interview done with me, working on behalf of Automatic Merchandiser and Vending Market Watch, right from the convention floor. I find that those companies always have a great story to tell about their products and services – this year is no exception."

Tullio talks to those seven suppliers, asking the question, "Why is your company a "must see" supplier.

In this episode, Tullio has a request of his listeners. 

"When you see me on the convention floor doing videos at 365 Retail Markets – booth 1347, Cantaloupe - booth 1839, Pro Watch Solutions - booth 2309, Televend - booth 2723, Launch Hydrate booth -1476 and speaking on camera with Steve Orlando of Fixturelite and Josh Rosenberg of Forward Thinkers, stop by to say hello and be sure to watch for those videos when they are release and published in the coming weeks."

After 14 years as president and CEO of NAMA, Carla understands the operator mindset and always has the best interests of NAMA members at the top of her priority list.

As Carla Balakgie approaches her last NAMA show as president and CEO of the organization, it is a good time for her to reflect on the last 14 years at the helm of the successful industry organization.

In this episode of Automatic Merchandiser’s Vending & OCS Nation, the podcast for the convenience services industry, it’s Part II of Bob Tullio’s interview with Carla Balakgie. If you missed Part I on April 1st, it’s ok, listen to today’s episode now and go back to hear the great conversation from Part I at your convenience – and it was a great conversation as Carla discussed her 14-year journey as president and CEO of NAMA. She talked about advocacy – what operators need to do to succeed and the industry’s proactive approach to improve their image and increase revenue opportunities.

Tullio also interviewed key industry leaders who shared their perspectives on the impact of Carla Balakgie, including Craig Hesch of AH Management, Pete Tullio of Gourmet Coffee Service and Tom Steuber of Associated Services.

In this episode – an insightful interview - Carla looks back at the people who helped her succeed at NAMA – she gives us the secret sauce recipe – she talks about technology – industry newcomers, her legacy and so much more. Of course, Tullio spoke to some other industry heavyweights, who shared their perspective on Carla’s positive and long-lasting impact.

For operators, suppliers and anyone in business who wants to get a glimpse inside the mind of a proven leader – an inspirational leader – this is a must listen. If you don’t know Carla that well, you will see why she is so successful. Her combination of professionalism and charm is a winning combination.

Based on the industry’s growth – the big comeback underway in just about every segment of the convenience services industry and the huge success of the most recent conventions – Chicago in 2022 – Atlanta in 2023 – record attendance at Dallas in 2024 – there is a lot of excitement brewing about the 2025 NAMA show and the return of the show to Las Vegas.

In this episode of Automatic Merchandiser & VendingMarketWatch's Vending & OCS Nation, the podcast for the convenience services industry - presented in cooperation with the National Automatic Merchandising Association - the industry organization for convenience services, it’s a preview at of the upcoming NAMA Show in Las Vegas – May 7th to 9th at the Las Vegas convention center.

Bob Tullio talked to some of the architects of the event - David Marler from 365 Retail Markets, Ryan Harrington, Founder and CEO of Royal ReFresh– both on the trade show advisory committee, and Kristen Griffith, CMP Griffith, Vice President, Programs & Services at NAMA.

The podcast guests talk about why the NAMA Show is a must attend for any serious operator, plus – how the show has impacted their businesses. There is also a great deal of buzz around the keynote speaker, Oz Pearlman, world-renowned mentalist.

With extensive experience behind her, Carla Balakgie hit the ground running when she was named President and CEO of NAMA 14 years ago. With Carla moving on to her next chapter after this year, the convenience services organization has big shoes to fill. 

In this episode of Automatic Merchandiser’s Vending & OCS Nation, the podcast for the convenience services industry, host Bob Tullio sat down with Carla to talk about her journey and her perspective from the industry’s top spot. 

Much of the conversation centers on advocacy, dodging legislative landmines and the industry's proactive approach to improve their image and increase revenue opportunities for operators and suppliers.

Tullio also interviewed key industry leaders who shared their perspectives on the impact of Carla Balakgie, including Craig Hesch (AH Management), Pete Tullio (Gourmet Coffee Service) and Tom Steuber (Associated Services). 

The founder of Evergreen Refreshments, Avanti Markets and more, likes to say that if you are not growing, you are coasting, and if you are coasting, you are probably going downhill.

There is no coasting for Jim Brinton. Even after selling Avanti to 365 Retail Markets, Brinton loves to see his businesses grow. It clearly drives him.

In this episode of Automatic Merchandiser’s Vending & OCS Nation, the podcast for the convenience services industry, it’s Part II of podcast host Bob Tullio’s interview with Jim Brinton.

Brinton is a humble man, but he is proud of the success he has achieved through hard work, innovation and risk taking. He talks about the importance of keeping the micro market concept fresh, the key people who have helped him succeed, critical advice for new operators, his outlook for 2025 and of course, his secret sauce recipe – a work in progress.

Mentioned in this two-part podcast:

Dean Prather of Quality Vending & Coffee Co. Mark Stein from Mark Vend Company, Unified Strategies Group, Craig Kushner of Monumental Vending Inc, Kevin Brinton from Evergreen Refreshments, Arthur Siller from Evergreen Refreshments, Vistar, Barry Rosenberg of VENDING ONE INC, Scott Phillips, Mark Dieffenbach from The Hershey Company and Elyssa Steiner of Cantaloupe Inc.

Tullio said he hopes this podcast will inspire the next Jim Brinton out there to take their great idea to the next level.

Jim Brinton brought the micro market to convenience services. Some operators have told him that he not only transformed the industry - but he also saved it.

What we have been focusing on recently is industry giants – movers and shakers, including Matthew Marsh of First Class Vending and Judson Kleinman of Corporate Essentials. Jim Brinton is in that “industry giant category" as both an operator and a supplier.

There are many great stories in the convenience services industry. In this episode of Automatic Merchandiser’s Vending & OCS Nation, you will hear one of the best of all – the story of Jim Brinton of Evergreen Refreshments and of course, Avanti Markets. He has truly revolutionized our industry – he introduced us to the micro market – the start of unattended retail.

Host Bob Tullio talks to Jim about his journey – how he became an operator and how his desire to find something better than vending, drove him to become a major industry innovator.